Yahuza Rasas posted a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds as TSU pulled away from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the second half during a 68-57 victory Monday night inside the H&PE Arena.
In typical UAPB-TSU fashion, the first half was back-and-forth with nine lead changes and four ties. UAPB would lead by five with 16:18 remaining but TSU went on a 10-3 run fueled by Eden Ewing's four points to jump ahead 14-12. UAPB's Marcus Wallace nailed a trey to move them ahead 15-14 with 11:38 remaining but Ewing answered with a dunk off a Jethro Tshisumpa pass to regain a 16-15 lead.
UAPB took advantage of its offensive rebounding to move ahead as they went on a 8-2 run over the next four minutes to reclaim a 23-18 margin at the 7:42 mark. The Golden Lions would lead by five once more nearly two minutes later but TSU went on a 9-3 surge fueled by Quinton Brigham's five points for a 29-28 lead with 2:45 left in the half. UAPB's Marquell Carter moved them ahead with a trey on the ensuing possession and the Golden Lions appeared to head into halftime with the lead. However, TSU's Tyrik Armstrong had other plans as he went coast-to-coast and beat the buzzer for a 33-32 TSU lead at halftime.
With the contest tied at 39-all early in the second half, Armstrong scored four consecutive points for a 43-39 TSU lead and a UAPB turnover led to a basket by Rasas for a 45-39 margin. The Golden Lions closed to within four on two occasions after the run but Armstrong and Eden Ewing combined to score five points as TSU went on a brief 5-0 run to up its lead to nine (51-42) as the clock read 8:12.
UAPB wouldn't go away as they outscored the Tigers 8-3 over the next two minutes and change to crawl back within four (54-50). However, the Tigers answered the call and upped their lead to 10 after a 8-2 run which was capped off by Armstrong's trey at the 2:58 mark. UAPB never threatened after that point as the Tigers went on to win their fifth straight game.
Ewing and Armstrong both joined Rasas in double figures with 18 and 13 points, respectively. Armstrong added five assists while Ewing grabbed seven rebounds.
TSU is back in action Saturday in Huntsville, Ala. as they'll take on Alabama A&M at 6 p.m.
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Courtesy: TSU Athletics